In 2020, I spoke with CBS New York’s Lisa Rozner as my son returned to school after months of uncertainty. Like so many parents of neurodivergent children, I worried about how he would adjust to new routines, masks, smaller classes, and a completely different school experience.
What I learned then is something I still carry with me today.
Neurodivergent children can adapt to change—but they need support, preparation, consistency, and adults who understand how they learn. When schools intentionally teach new routines instead of simply expecting children to “figure it out,” remarkable things happen.
That experience reinforced something I now share with families every day: when a child is struggling, it’s often not because they can’t do it. It’s because they haven’t been given the right supports yet.
As a parent, I know how overwhelming those moments can feel. As someone who has spent years navigating special education, evaluations, therapies, and school placements, I also know that there are answers—and you don’t have to find them alone.
I’m grateful to Lisa Rozner and CBS New York for highlighting the incredible work educators were doing during an unprecedented time. The story may have been about reopening schools, but the lesson is timeless: every child deserves an environment where they can feel safe, understood, and successful. Click here to see the story.
